The idea for this public works exhibition derives from a long standing interest and investigation into the changing nature of cities, public space and public architecture.

Peter Elliott Architecture + Urban Design has worked almost exclusively on public commissions for over 30 years within inner Melbourne. This is a small local world, but one which has been progressively informed by forensic observation, the work of other seminal designers, teaching, travelling, books, conversation and ultimately the work itself.

We see architecture, landscape & urban design as sharing a common endeavour. We admire those practitioners who work across all design boundaries and understand and value the place they work in. Our involvement in urban public architecture has happened almost by accident as a body of projects and way of working has developed over time – each commission informing the next.

We like cities and the constant change they undergo. We also like the idea that cities are constructed by many generations and that our contribution has to negotiate its place among many others.

The exhibition sampling includes some urban infrastructure projects which construct new public spaces like road architecture, or urban architecture projects which locate new buildings or additions within the established fabric of the city.